Once students graduate from high school, education becomes a personal expense; therefore, for many, there is a need to find some form of financial aid to pay for the educational expenses incurred while pursuing a degree.

In many cases, government based grants are limited in number and in award amounts, forcing students to find other ways to finance their post-secondary education.

Secondary and post-secondary counselors are familiar with most well known financial aid options; however, with the rising costs of education, the thinning award amounts, and the increasing competition, students need to find other ways to secure financial aid.

So, along with checking well known financial aid sites, like FastWeb.com, Scholarship.com, and College Board, the student may want to find some other alternate ideas.

 Following are some suggestions a student might want to consider when searching for financial aid.

Be Creative

This is meant not only in ways to find sources of income, but in the actual meaning of the word.

For example, if photography is a well developed passion, the student may want to think about contacting well known photographers and submitting scholarship proposals that will benefit both parties, especially if the student is seeking a degree in photography.

Use Family Heritage

The student may want to find out specifics about his/her heritage and then search online for educational possibilities to fit the family’s background.

For example, let us assume the student is from Italy and specifically the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Region. There are a few scholarship opportunities for students of Italian descent. These can be found on regular scholarship websites.

However, the Friuli region has specific educational opportunities open only to descendants residing abroad. The student will need to prove the ancestry line; but, once that is done, the path is open.

Contact Major Corporations

Many large corporations have funds they set aside for donations on a first come first served basis.

The student should learn about the corporation he/she is going to contact, and create a scholarship proposal showing entrepreneurship. After all, many of these corporations started with one individual with a vision.

With the plethora of information available on the web, personal ingenuity, and determination, the student should be able to find ways to finance education and achieve his/her goals.

One point to remember is that there is no cost for asking. If scholarships are obtained, all is gained. If scholarships are not obtained, the student will have learned valuable insights in communication, diplomacy, and finances.

A number of talented international students want to pursue graduate studies with financial aid in an American university.  The graduate schools in the U.S. can offer financial assistance to only a few students because of limited funds. Educational standards are high in the United States, but education in this country is not cheap. If you are unable to get financial aid – not a loan – from private or governmental agencies in your own country for graduate studies in the U.S., you have to use your own funds or borrow. The cost of the loan from a bank or other sources is usually very high. So, how do you fulfill your dreams of studying in the United States with financial aid? Here
are some tips:

1. Scholarships

A few scholarships are available exclusively for international students to fund their graduate studies. Check with the
Graduate School of your university for which you wish to apply for more info. Contact The Office of International Student and Scholar Services also in the university for scholarship details.

The amount you will receive varies from scholarship to scholarship. It could range from a few hundred dollars to
several thousand dollars. Some scholarships may cover the entire cost of your graduate education. Scholarships are competitive. You may get a scholarship on the basis of, among others, your undergraduate performance. Find out the requirements and deadlines, and apply early. You may want to check out internationalscholarhip.com for a list of scholarship opportunities.

2. GRE Scores and Financial Aid

If you want to attend a graduate school – with financial aid – in the U.S., score as high as possible on the GRE. You have to prepare for the test at least three months before you take the examination. A higher score on the GRE means you have excellent potential to get a financial assistance. These are usually in the form of research assistance (RA) / teaching assistance (TA). With a RA/TA, you get out-of-state tuition waiver too.  Keep in mind that both the Graduate School and your Department also consider your academic performance, teaching / research potential and professional achievements / other educational  accomplishments to grant financial aid.

Great Info For International Students on How to Apply For an M.S. Program in U.S. Universities

3. Research and Teaching Assistantships

Only a few graduate international students get financial assistance along with their admission. What about the meritorious others who do not get financial aid, but come to the U.S. for graduate studies anyway? They too can seek avenues in their university for funds. There may be unclaimed RA/TA or new opportunities. Check this out: Many professors need assistants for help in their research. Build a good rapport with all the faculty members of your Department. Check with your professors about their research work and how you can help them in it. If there is an opportunity, the professor(s) may ask you to apply. Again, a strong research potential and GRE scores can tilt the scale in your favor for financial assistance.

Here’s good news for you: Even if you don’t get financial aid in your first semester of study, you have the potential to get a RA/TA from the second semester. You should maintain a solid GPA, and your GRE scores still count.

4. Groundwork for Financial Aid

If a graduate school has admitted you without financial aid do some groundwork for getting a RA /TA, before you leave for America. Review your university website in detail. It may list the present research work of its faculty members. A study of the list helps you match your aptitude with their research work.  Based on your ability and interest, shortlist a few items from the list.

When you arrive at your university campus, make an appointment with your Department’s professors as early as possible. Discuss with them about your research interests and your need for financial aid. If a professor has the funds and finds your qualifications a good fit for the work, he/she may award you the assistance.

If you are not able to find a RA, TA can be another source of funds for your graduate studies. As a TA you will do such work as teach undergraduate courses and or grade papers, compile scores, find information for your professor’s work from CD-ROM / on-line databases, and conduct quiz and exams. The experience you gain from a RA / TA looks good on your resume too.

5. On-campus Jobs for International Students

Foreign students can work up to 20 hours/week on campus. Most jobs pay a minimum wage. Some jobs may pay a higher amount. The jobs on campus include tutoring and working in a library, restaurant, book store, or other. Because of the economic downturn, you may find it hard to land an on-campus job. It doesn’t hurt to try though.

6. Computer Lab Assistant Jobs

A job in a computer lab is perhaps the third best avenue, after a scholarship and RA/TA, for international graduate students to fund their studies.

U.S. universities, particularly the larger ones, will have a number of computer labs. Some of these are open 24/7, except during spring, summer and winter breaks. A job as a computer assistant in any of the computer centers helps you gain hands-on experience. Here, you can work on a range of software.

How much does the job pay? You may get a little higher pay than other on-campus work. Plus, your stint in the lab adds value to your resume.

Final note: Keep in mind that even with a scholarship/RA/TA, you may have to use some of your own funds to meet all your expenses while studying in an American university. With an on campus job(s), the amount you spend out of your pocket will be much higher than if you have RA/TA form of financial aid.

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